Follow Blind Dave and Mad Mac
From Antarctica, to South America, North America to Australasia, Asia to Africa and finally Europe; proving that sight loss is no barrier to human achievement.
Pride of Sandwell Pair's Triumphant Return
Marathon heroes ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley and ‘Mad Mac’ Carr have made a triumphant return to Sandwell.
The 7 Magnificent Marathon challenge winners – who ran into the record books by completing seven marathons in seven continents in just seven days – returned to their homes via an open top bus tour through Oldbury & West Bromwich.
They arrived at Sandwell & Dudley railway station from London, and were greeted by the Mayor of Sandwell Cllr Gurcharan Singh Sidhu and a crowd of supporters. The Mayor presented them with crystal rosebowls in recognition of their “tremendous achievement”.
Also waiting at the station was Dave’s all-time hero, former WBA star Tony ‘Bomber Brown’ and Laraine Astle the widow of another of Dave’s heroes, Jeff, who presented Dave with an Albion scarf.
Hundreds of people lined the route which stopped off briefly to cheering crowds of parents and children outside Guns Village Primary School, where Dave’s youngest daughters Georgie-Lee and Dannie are pupils.
Shoppers and workers came out on the streets in West Bromwich town centre, to welcome the pair home and motorists beeped their horns in celebration all the way along the route.
The tour ended in Margaret Street, where neighbours of ‘Blind Dave’ had organised a welcome home party with fireworks, bunting, music and dancing.
Their reception took both Dave and Mac aback. Both said they were ‘overwhelmed’ by the reaction of their hometown.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine a reception quite like this,” he said.
“It’s unusual for me but I was just lost for words when I stepped off the train to the cheers of people who came out to meet us.
“The open top bus was the icing on the cake. And then when I got home and saw how much effort everyone had put into organising our welcome home party, it was just terrific.”
Dave’s sighted running guide Mac said the welcome home was “tremendous”.
“I’m still in awe at just how many people came out on the streets on a Wednesday afternoon,” he said.
“When they told me about the bus I was really enthralled and thought there might be a few people, but it’s been all the way along with people cheering and beeping their horns.
“The support has been fantastic.”
The pair undertook the challenge to prove that sight loss is no barrier to human achievement and to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Marathons Update
Sandwell's 7 Magnificent Marathon conquerors 'Blind Dave' Heeley and 'Mad Mac' Carr each got a hero's welcome when they returned to their hometown of West Bromwich on Wednesday (16 April).
The Mayor of Sandwell Cllr Gurcharan Singh Sidhu and a crowd of cheering supporters were at Sandwell & Dudley railway station to welcome the pair, who completed seven marathons in seven continents in just seven days - a total distance of 183.4 miles, or 250,000 steps, in approximately 168 hours!
The final leg of the world record breaking challenge took place in the Flora London Marathon, which the pair completed in five hours 20 minutes.
It was the end of a very long and arduous week which saw them complete the marathon distance of 26. 2 miles in the Falkland Islands (Antarctica), Rio (South America), Los Angeles (North America), Sydney (Australasia), Dubai (Asia), Tunis (Africa) and finally London (Europe).
Mayor Cllr Gurcharan Singh Sidhu said: "As Dave's local ward councillor, as the civic head of Sandwell Metropolitan Council and on behalf of all the people of Sandwell I look forward to congratulating the pair for completing the ultimate endurance test and welcoming them home.
"They have shown tremendous courage and strength and they thoroughly deserve their places in the history books."
Only two other people have run seven marathons in seven continents in seven days - Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr Mike Stroud - and Dave is the first disabled athlete to do so.
Organisers of the 7mm Challenge, Guide Dogs, took the athletes back to Dave's home in Oak Road, via West Bromwich town centre, in an open top bus and local residents and well wishers lined the streets to celebrate their triumphant return to Sandwell.
Neighbours of Dave - his wife Deb and three children Grace, Georgie-lee and Dannie - also laid on a homecoming party in Oak Road.
On completion of the Flora London Marathon, an overwhelmed and hugely emotional Dave crossed the finish line straight into the arms of his family as gathered crowds watched in awe.
Afterwards he said: "There were all sorts of emotions passing through my mind as we finished - it was fantastic, but I could hardly believe that we had really done it! We've run into the history books, but I think it will take us both a few days before it sinks in."
His sighted guide runner Mac Carr crossed the finish line and spent the next hour receiving medical attention - as the effect of the seven marathons challenge took its toll. However he was soon able to rejoin Dave at a post race press conference as the world took note of their achievement.
"This has been a physically, emotionally and mentally challenging experience, but on crossing the London marathon finishing line, I was absolutely elated - on top of the world, " said 44-year-old Mac.
It was 50-year-old Dave's dream to complete the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge to prove that sight loss is no barrier to human achievement, increase awareness of visual impairment around the world and raise money for Guide Dogs in the UK.
The inspiration behind Dave's challenge was the life-changing independence and freedom of mobility provided by the guide dog ownership he has benefited from spanning over 10 years, with three loyal and dedicated dogs; Peter, Carla and currently Wicksie.
He has been registered blind for the past 20 years through Retinitis Pigmentosa, and so wasn't able to see the locations, routes and supporters around the world. He relied totally on Malcolm to accompany him every step of the global marathon circuit, describing in detail the environments and location in which they were running.
The challenge was far beyond the capabilities of most people, and Dave displayed enormous physical and mental stamina, putting incredible strains on his body to complete his Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge. He has remained focused and used every ounce of strength to smash through pain barriers, time zones and jet lag; all factors he and Malcolm have had to overcome as they push the boundaries of human endurance to realise Dave's dream.
World famous marathon runner, Paula Radcliffe said: "I hope thousands of people have been inspired by Dave's amazing ambition to complete seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. It is amazing to see that sight loss does not prevent enjoyment and achievement in long distance running."
Dave Bedford, Flora London Marathon race director, said: "The Flora London Marathon was proud to be a part of Dave's inspirational challenge. He is an outstanding ambassador for both able and disabled runners in the UK, and around the globe. We are very excited that the Flora London Marathon was chosen as the final leg of Guide Dogs' Seven Magnificent Marathons, and felt honoured to welcome him across the finishing line as he took his final strides into the history books."
Says Dave: "Having an army of supporters at the Flora London Marathon made such an enormous difference to my exhausted body and mind, and helped me find that extra bit of strength from within to complete the final leg of the Seven Magnificent Marathons.
Former World Championship and Olympic runner Steve Cram MBE, who provided BBC commentary at the Flora London Marathon 2008, said: "I congratulate Dave whole heartedly for all he is doing to promote awareness of visual impairment and raise funds for Guide Dogs."
Dave's Seven Magnificent Marathon down under!
The fourth leg of blind Dave Heeley's Guide Dogs' Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge took place Down Under with a warm welcome from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, in Australia, which has worked in collaboration with Guide Dogs to stage the marathon. The event began at 9.25AM (Sydney time) within the idyllic leafy grounds of Sydney's Centennial Park on Thursday 10 April 2008, and finished at 2.05pm (Sydney time) - a total running time of four hours, forty minutes.
Flanked by supporters of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and members of local running clubs, including the Sydney Striders and Achilles Running Club, Dave and his sighted running guide Malcolm Carr, both from West Bromwich in the West Midlands (UK), took the first steps into completing the fourth leg of their challenge to complete seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days!
The marathon course involved eleven laps around the park, totalling 26.2miles/42.2km, as part of 50-year-old Dave's super-human effort to prove that sight loss is no barrier to human achievement, raise awareness of visual impairment around the world and raise money for Guide Dogs in the UK.
Doug Ritchie, a Guide Dogs NSW/ACT instructor running alongside Dave for his Sydney marathon, said: "Dave is an incredible person and I am sure that the completion of the Sydney marathon will have inspired many other Australians with visual impairment to continue pushing boundaries and living their own dreams."
Paul Noon, deputy consul general of the British Consulate - General Sydney, welcomed Dave and the Seven Magnificent Marathons team to the city for the leg of the challenge and in an address to gathered supporters and the media before the start of the event said:
"It is wonderful to have Dave, and his team, here in Sydney today. The collaboration between Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Guide Dogs in the to bring this leg of the challenge to Sydney to show that guide dogs make such a difference to the lives of visually impaired people on both sides of the world is fantastic.
"Dave is such an inspiration to so many people in this city. We wish him the best of luck with his Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge."
Dave and Mac arrived in Sydney on day four of the challenge having already completed the first two legs within the same 24hour period beginning on Monday 07 April 00:01 (BST) in the Falkland Islands, (Antarctica) in a time 4 hours 15 minutes and Rio De Janeiro (South America) in a run time of 4 hours 45minutes. The third leg was completed in a time of 4 hours and 35 minutes at the world-famous Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on Tuesday 08 April. Dave and the team left Sydney later that night to fly on for the fifth leg of the challenge beginning in Dubai on Friday 11 April 2008.
Having completed the leg of the Seven Magnificent Marathons, Dave then progressed onto another gruelling marathon in Tunis on Saturday 12 April, before the finale in London - arriving in spectacular style for the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April.
On completion of the Flora London Marathon, 50 year-old Dave - a married father of three from West Bromwich, in the West Midlands - ran a total distance of 183.4 miles in approximately 168 hours, taking over 250,000 steps!
Dave, who has been registered blind for the past 20 years, was inspired top take on challenge having benefited from the life-transforming independence and confidence provided by his guide dogs over the past ten years.
Dave explains the inspiration behind undertaking this ultimate in endurance:
"Having suffered sight loss, I know how terrifying life can seem. I have been fortunate enough to have had my life transformed by guide dog ownership. I have gone from being to nervous to step outside my own front door to taking on the challenge of running a marathon on every continent on the globe - and that is all thanks to Guide Dogs.
"If by raising awareness of the immeasurable impact guide dogs can have on the life of a visually impaired person, and if one more person as a result benefits from the life-transforming independence that a guide dog provides, than this challenge will have been worth every step of the way."
Dave has become the first blind person to complete seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days.
Third Marathon Success for Blind Dave
Following an overwhelming welcome, Blind Dave and his sighted running guide Malcolm Carr completed the third of Guide Dogs’ Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, in a time of four hours and 35 minutes.
The third leg got off to an emotional start with Dave, a 50-year-old married father of three, moved to tears by the amazing support received from The Braille Institute of America for organising the North American run, local representatives from Guide Dogs of America and the presentation of commendation from the Mayor of the City of Pasadena.
Dave, Malcolm and the Seven Magnificent Marathons support team began the third leg at 11:15am (local time) 7.15pm (BST) and finished strongly with a cheering crowd to encourage them all the way to the last stride of the 26.2miles around the Rose Bowl.
Blind Dave was welcomed to the Rose Bowl by The Braille Institute of America and Bill Bogaard, the Mayor of the City of Pasadena. The Mayor delivered a moving speech citing the words of the commendation: “The Braille Institute of America and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of the United Kingdom have come together in the spirit of international cooperation to support the goals of Dave Heeley, an extraordinary athlete, to run seven marathons, in seven continents, in seven days.
"Dave Heeley’s Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge has inspired and encouraged people across the world to reach for their dreams, no matter how challenging the effort. The success of Seven Magnificent Marathons will not be measured by how many miles run, but by the courage necessary to undertake such a challenge. Such courage, in the face of adversity, will be an inspiration for years to come."
Dave completed just over eight laps of the Rose Bowl flanked by his support team and the encouragement of other local runners joining in to help him achieve his dream of completing the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge, in a super-human effort to prove that sight loss is no barrier to human achievement, raise awareness of visual impairment around the world and raise money for Guide Dogs in the UK.
Blind Dave and Mad Mac in Rio
Blind Dave and Mad Mac carry the Sandwell crest around the world - pictured outside the Copacabana Palace hotel in Rio - the venue for their second magnificent marathon.
One Down, Six to Go!
The Sandwell running duo’s world record-breaking attempt to complete seven marathons in seven continents in seven days got off to a thunderous start.
Blind Dave Heeley and his sighted guide Malcom Carr completed their first marathon in the Falkland Islands in the early hours of the (Monday April 7) morning.
The pair had a momentous military send off as they started their 7 Magnificent Marathon challenge in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind, thanks to British armed forces based on the islands in Antarctica.
A gun salute, involving British Naval ships anchored offshore, a klaxon and a flypast by an RAF Tornado left islanders in no doubt that the worldwide challenge was under way.
And Blind Dave - who had travelled thousands of miles from his home in West Bromwich – in his bid to become the first disabled athlete to complete seven marathons in seven continents in seven days – was accompanied not only by his guide ‘Mad Mac’ but also by British Army troops in full combat gear.
But there was no time to stick around to enjoy their Antarctic surroundings – as soon as they had finished the run, the pair had to board their plane and travel to Rio in Brazil.
Later today (Monday) at 1.30pm UK time, they will start their second, and South American leg of their worldwide challenge.
Tomorrow they will travel to Los Angeles (North America) before heading to Sydney (Australasia), then Dubai (Asia) and Tunis (Africa).
The runners are expecting a rapturous welcome home for their challenge finale – when they take part in the Flora London Marathon (Europe) this Sunday (13 April).
Friends and supporters celebrated the start of the challenge at a special event last night at The Hawthorns, hosted by Blind Dave’s wife Debbie and daughters Grace aged 17, Georgie-lee, aged six and Dannie, aged 4.
And delighted supporters back home in Sandwell were treated to an unexpected commentary from the pair via mobile phone as they ran their first mile.
Deb said: “We had been hoping to join in the countdown to the start of the run, but communications on the islands went down at the critical moment.
“However Dave’s support team managed to get through on a mobile phone just minutes into the run, and we were able to have a brief word with both Dave and Mac.
“Dave was bowled over by the send off he was given on the islands, and we were able to tell him that we were celebrating almost as noisily back here in West Bromwich.”